If you’re into retro consoles, you probably have a classic NES on your shelf right now. The impressively-small gaming system accurately recreates all the fun you’ve had when you were a kid. Despite garnering all sorts of praises though, the console isn’t perfect – it actually has a couple of problems, ranging from the limited game capacity to the awkward way of accessing the home screen.

Well, fortunately for those who are willing to tinker with their NES, hackers are activity trying to get more out of the console – and they’re succeeding so far. Soon, tutorials on how to carry out the hacks on your own might get published on the web, meaning you’ll have the chance to finally give your minute gaming system a free upgrade. For now, if you’re just interested to learn about the latest hacks, just continue reading.

Getting More Games

It’s practically guaranteed that many of your favorite titles are included in the console’s built-in game library. However, one of the best things about the original NES is that it lets you collect more games – you’ll only have to purchase a new cartridge and you’re finally ready to begin a new pixelated adventure. With the classic NES, doing that is literally impossible since it doesn’t support cartridges at all.

Thanks to the efforts of hackers though, the console can now be loaded with hundreds of games, but only digitally. This still means that you’ll finally be able to re-experience those rather obscure titles you fell in love with during your childhood. Here’s another thing that should make you smile – guides on how to expand the console’s library are beginning to pop up on YouTube, most of which will require you to utilize a program called Hakchi2.

Do keep in mind that once you start tinkering with the gaming system’s software, you’re basically voiding your warranty. Also, even if most ways of hacking the console do work, there’s always a chance that you’d end up with an expensive paperweight – just imagine what would happen if you were dumping the modified NES software and someone suddenly trips over the power cord (just like in the old days, but with a more serious effect).

Home Improvement

As mentioned, another problem with the console is the poorly-designed way of accessing the home screen. Although you’ll most likely be next to the console while you’re playing (meaning the Reset button should be within arm’s reach), you will eventually get tired of the entire process – especially if you find it necessary to save often while tackling some of the more difficult NES titles.

Hackers solved this dilemma by adding an unofficial shortcut command to the gaming system’s gamepad program. The latest hack will only require you to press Down and Select simultaneously. There would no longer be any need to push the Reset button – a process which most certainly leads to wear. How did they do this? Well, the initial method they used is surely something that most novices won’t be willing to try.

Fortunately, they’ve made a streamlined approach, which would only require you to use a specific program – yes, you’ll be using Hakchi2 once more. Would you be able to choose whether to modify your console’s software? Is there an option to prevent the program from adding ROMs into your NES? No and none – that is until someone decides to tinker with Hakchi or writes a new patch specifically for the home screen problem.

Future Hack Trends

What’s next for these adventurous hackers? Well, they might try solving the console’s gamepad support problem. As you may already know, the classic NES is currently compatible with the NES Classic Controller (which it ships with) and the two official gamepads for the Wii. The problem here though, lies in the fact that you can’t use the miniature gaming system unless one of the gamepads plugged in is a NES Classic Controller.

Surely, that isn’t an issue for those yearning for that fully retro feel. On the other hand, gamers who wish to beat the old classics with more recent input hardware will definitely be disappointed. Besides, the limitation means that enjoying two-player titles with a pair of relatively modern gamepads is impossible. The only reason Nintendo placed such a limiting feature is to ensure that they’d sell a lot more NES Classic Controllers.

Of Risks and Hacks

Once again, before you search the web for the easiest NES-hacking tutorials, keep in mind that you’re going to risk your investment if you wish to improve it through unofficial means. So, think hard – do you prefer a console with its true potential unlocked, or are you fine with something that’s fully-functional yet somewhat lacking?